We are heading to the Algarve in late December and early January. Having never been to Portugal, I’m not sure where to base. We are open to different towns, but we do love quiet and relaxing. Also, something central would be great so we can access towns to the west and east. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1281 posts
Carvoeiro is a really nice little beach town. I have stayed there at that time of year before and pretty much all the restaurants were open. There are lovely walks you can do along the boardwalk on the cliffs. There is a New Year firework display at nearby Ferragudo, which is also a good place to stay. It’s a fairly popular place to go for the Portuguese at New Year and some restaurants that weren’t open earlier in our stay started to open up for the few days around 31st.
Posted by
62 posts
I would second Carvoeiro, was there in November, stayed at Castelo Guest House. Gorgeous terrace room overlooking the beach with a fabulous breakfast. Many of the pictures that you see of the beach and the cliffs the Castelo Guest House is the yellow building on the cliff above the beach. So, yes you do a lot of walking up and down the hill. Host made excellent restaurant recommendations. If I was so lucky to go back and spend some time in the Algarve, this is where I would return to. We had a rental car, which I would recommend if you stay here as it is a bit more out of the way.
Posted by
Georgetown,KY
136 posts
We stayed just east of Carvoeiro a f we yearr re an ago near the hiking trail. Really liked it.